Hernandez beats Ejercito anew in Laguna

Reelectionist Ramil Hernandez is proclaimed governor of Laguna at the provincial capitol Wednesday. CHRIS QUINTANA/CONTRIBUTOR

SANTA CRUZ, LAGUNA — Reelectionist Ramil Hernandez beat rival Emilio Ramon “ER” Ejercito for the second time in Laguna’s gubernatorial race.

Hernandez was proclaimed governor at 12:38 p.m., Wednesday at the provincial capitol here.

Receiving a total of 817,250 votes, Hernandez surpassed Ejercito, who garnered 391,270 votes, and other gubernatorial candidates, including Berlene Alberto (7,414 votes), Leonardo Almadrigo (4,063 votes), Bronson Grajera (4,362 votes), and Manolo Samia (3,652 votes).

In 2014, then governor Ejercito was disqualified due to campaign overspending in the 2013 elections. This opened up the gubernatorial seat for then vice governor Hernandez.

The two went head to head in the 2016 elections, with Hernandez winning.

Last month, Ejercito was convicted of graft in relation to an insurance deal during his term as mayor of Pagsanjan town in 2008.

Ejercito was perpetually disqualified from holding public office but was still allowed to run in the recent election. (Editor: Leti Boniol)